It seems this West Indies tour has done nothing to dampen Australia’s interim coach Justin Langer’s coaching aspirations, as the former Test opener claims he would be happy to accept another offer to coach the senior team.
Regular coach Darren Lehmann will take over from Langer this week, the 45-year-old Victorian’s profile has been enriched with great appreciation after the ODI series win in West Indies.
Even the Players have heaped praise in their assessment of Langer during his four weeks in charge, with his relaxed approach as well as life away from the game making him one of the major contender for next Aussie coach.
Langer had to deal with a delicate situation since he was appointed as Lehmann’s stand-in for the recently concluded series, a dilemma of wanting to go ahead with his own personal ambitions without undermining his former teammate’s status as full-time coach.
And the current Western Australia and Perth Scorchers mentor once again maintained a right balance when questioned about the possibility of leading the World champions again in the future.
“If it comes up down the track, Boof (Lehmann) wants to have another tour off somewhere, I’d love to do it,” he said.
“I’ve loved it, there’s no doubt. I love, and always have, the Baggy Green cap and playing for Australia, being involved with Australian cricket and singing the song tonight. I just love all that.
“But the reality is, it’s not a job (that’s available). And that’s cool because I’ll go back to another great job (coaching Western Australia), which I love.
“Life is about timing. I was just lucky to get the timing for this job.”
Lehmann, who has already hinted that he may stem down after the World Cup and Ashes series in England in 2019, heavily endorsed Langer as his successor last year.
Since Lehmann gave his former teammate a brief run at the job this month, Langer revealed the pair had had very little contact during the series
“At first I was a bit worried about that, but then I thought it’s probably just a sign of respect,” Langer said.
“If I was in the opposite shoes, I wouldn’t want him to think I was hassling him.
“Boof is an absolute cricket nuffy so he probably wanted to speak to me every day. But he probably thought, ‘I’ll let JL go and do his thing’ and now he can take it over in a few days’ time.
“I’m sure we’ll have conversations. He’ll see my written reports and we’ll have a chat. It’s worked out nicely that way.”
Langer left Barbados for the United States on Monday, where he will accompany 7 other Australian coaches – including recently-retired pacer Ryan Harris – for a study tour across the country to visit a variety of elite sports clubs, colleges and media institutions
He will then go back to Perth to continue his dual role with WA and the Perth Scorchers, whom he had guided to six domestic finals and three titles since taking the charge in 2012.
But what next? Langer remains philosophical about a game he has passionately dedicated almost half his life to.
“I know how fickle coaching is,” he said.
“Western Australia might be rubbish for the next season and I’ll be a rubbish coach and won’t get an opportunity anyway. That’s OK, that’s the business we’re in.
“I did this for a long time before (this tour) as a player and a coach. The game always surprises you.”